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Today’s Topic: I saw a commercial for the Project Liberty Action Network on TV last night. It sounds intriguing. But as with all things that sound too good to be true, I DO look a gift horse in the mouth.
From the Philanthropy News Digest:
Civic entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank H. McCourt, Jr., has announced a $100 million investment to create Project Liberty, an initiative designed to build a more equitable technology infrastructure for the Internet.
-snip-
"Like so many others, I've watched with deepening distress as the technology meant to provide universal access to opportunity and bring us together has become a primary reason for extreme polarization, division, and inequity," said McCourt. "Today's social media platforms increasingly control our data, fuel division, erode our privacy, and threaten our democracies. These problems can't be regulated away. It's time to reinvent a new way forward. I'm committed to leveraging my expertise, networks, and resources to create a better public infrastructure for the Internet — one that results in healthier societies and economies."
"The centralization of economic activity, political dialogue, and social life onto a handful of global tech platforms has created a large and interlocking set of vulnerabilities and threats," said DSNP advisor Andrew McLaughlin, who previously served as head of global public policy at Google and deputy chief technology officer in the Obama administration. "We need to build better stuff — new technology infrastructures that support open, decentralized innovation. DSNP is a bold, promising, and concrete shared social infrastructure that applies known technologies, uses proven models of open-source development, and embodies clear and vital values. It has all the right ingredients to be a profound game-changer."
He certainly has identified some salient problems. Now from the PLAN website, what they propose as some solutions: They would like to see legislation, amongst others, that will:
- Require social media and technology platforms to design their platforms to make children’s safety and privacy a priority.
- Require social media companies to remove recommended posts that users did not opt into from their feeds and prevent posts that promote suicide, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
- Give people agency and ownership of their data.
There is a lot more about protecting children. And not a lot about how any of this will stop polarisation and division. But they might be able to bring us several steps forward.
But what about this Frank McCourt guy, who founded Project Liberty? (Note: This is not the author of Angela’s Ashes!) Per Wiki:
Frank H. McCourt Jr. (born August 14, 1953) is an American business executive and philanthropist.[1][2] As of 2023, he is the executive chairman and former CEO of McCourt Global,[3] owner of the football club Olympique de Marseille, and founder and executive chairman of international non-profit Project Liberty.[3] He was the owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Stadium from 2004 to 2012.
Of some concern to me, he did business with Rupert Murdoch, but maybe he was rescuing the Dodgers more than enriching Murdoch? And OTOH, where I saw his ad was on Fox Entertainment. Hmm.…
I also was a bit concerned about this bit:
In 2016, he purchased French Ligue 1 football club Olympique de Marseille from Russian-born billionaire Margarita Louis-Dreyfus.[6] The takeover was completed in August after months of negotiations.[7]
It might also be a bad idea to enrich Russian billionaires. However, her Wiki page says she is actually now a Swiss citizen. Apparently she has been so since 1992. So she’s apparently not one of Putin’s oligarchs.
So what do y’all think? Can a rich guy be a good-guy philanthropist? Is he a wolf in sheep’s clothing (note that the origin of this phrase is either Biblical or from Aesop)? Is it all just hype for his own business of DSNP on which he hopes to get richer? OR are there real (if partial) solutions here? Does this project show promise?
I've done the research for you, now you get to help me figure out what it means! Certainly this country would be better if we were not so divided. Assuming that less division would mean more widespread agreement on liberal/progressive values, of course! Illegitimi non curreren patrium.
Please discuss in Comments! Thanks!
Finally, let’s elevate our Community Cred and repost The Needs List! From Aashirs nani (with permission) on Helping Humpday! We still have people who could use a little help from their friends!
PLEASE NOTE:
When sending via PayPal, be sure to select “Send to family/friend” to avoid fees on either end. Be aware, both donor and recipient, that GFM not only charges fees, but also money received through that platform is treated as taxable income. If you are requesting help through GFM, also be aware that there can be delays in accessing the money.
COMMUNITY NEEDS LIST AS OF 7/19/23:
DK is being super glitchy today and njm5000 wasn’t able to update the list. Here is last week’s list, with any additions I could find.
Fundraisers who want a diary to be or stay on the list: PLEASE kosmail requests and donations received to njm5000 by Tuesday evening to be included on the Wednesday morning updated list.
Living on the financial edge—need help? Check out the Helping Directories before your next emergency.
Housing and Living Expenses Fundraisers and Other Links
When sending via PayPal, be sure to select “Send to family/friend” to avoid fees on either end.
anotherdemocrat—has a diary up: Anyone know where I can find a 2nd job? She’s in Austin and is suddenly $24000 in debt, mainly due to an HOA assessment! From the diary: “So, $24,000 is more money than I can ask even a big community like Daily Kos to donate. I have a venmo: at Becky-Helton, Cashapp: $B3ckyHelt0n, and GoFundMe, if anyone wants to help with next month’s payments but for a big total like that, I need a 2nd job. My day job is M-F from 8-5, so it would have to be evenings & weekends.” and “Skills: writing, 20+ years of customer service work, super reliable…” Kosmail, if you can help.
BMScott posted this: From a Daily Kos Guild tweet about Christopher Reeves:
“Christopher's house burned down early in February. An insurance dispute has made it difficult to access his funds for necessary items, so we're trying to keep him and his family sheltered, fed, and clothed. PLEASE help however you can.” There is a GoFundMe that currently stands at $15,360 15,385 15585 15,635 15,710 15,910 towards a newly revised goal of $25,000. This is his main income as he is working on a couple of other income streams, including a computer shop in Leavenworth. He has now opened that computer shop in Leavenworth, at 2110 S 4th Street. They do repairs (I asked!). If you live in the area, you can help him while helping yourself.
jtg—needs about $7,000 6150 5760 5460 5435 5185 4935 4500 4100 3900 3700 3290 2950 (awaiting update) for dental work.• GoFundMe • KoFi • PayPal• Patreon • Amazon Pet Supplies •
AZnaturegrrrl—needs help rn with kitteh food and supplies. Especially needs the special Royal Canin aging loaf in sauce wet food for Yuki, plus syringes for the feeding, and puppy pads with adhesive strips. From AZ: “I have a list on Amazon or Chewy vouchers would work just as well (I think Chewy has a sale on as well):“ *Chewy gift cards to naturegirl61 at icloud dot com • amazon wish list is www.amazon.com/…
Kossacks really stepped up, with orders, $, and Chewy cards. Leaving this up to get more of a cushion for supplies and food. <3
userexists has a fundraising diary, A “furrever” home for $6500? With your help, YES!!! PayPal or Zelle is userexists11 at gmail dot com. There is a GFM but PayPal or Zelle will avoid fees. This is time sensitive. The fundraiser is only 1/3 of the way to buying the RV.
BeadLady has posted the updated Kos Katalogue 2023: Please Check — Katalogue 2023 Members. Please Kosmail her as soon as possible if you have corrections or additions.
So glad to see progress, thanks to you all!
Please note also that Chef Bobby Neary, “@nuevopioneer,” passed away January 14, 2023. We will continue to post his favourite charity to honour him — please consider a donation to the Satos, the street pets of Puerto Rico! Bobby adopted his own Sato, Missilu, as well as raised funds for PR’s Satos.
I’m in for a mickle each week toward a variety of DKos members on the Needs List. I hope you’ll join me. Always glad to see the needed amounts gradually decreasing!
If helping financially isn’t the right choice for you at this time, you can still help. Tip and rec the diary so it stays visible. Share on social media: Twitter, Facebook, whatever platform you use, to bring the attention of others outside our daily readers. And offer words of encouragement to people who are struggling. It can be scary to be struggling, and it can feel lonely. Let them know we understand and are here to help.
If you can, whenever you see fundraiser diaries from someone you know here, please visit the diaries and leave comments for their authors. Those words of encouragement are vital!
If you don’t like fundraisers, please just move along. They are a longstanding tradition at DKos — Until we vote in enough progressives to create a much stronger social safety net (maybe in 2024)!
And finally, please note: Mom's caregiving is still requiring long hours! I may have fallen asleep when this diary posts. But I will engage in Comments this evening. Thanks to all! Enjoy the discussion. Again, this is an Open Thread. You can discuss the proposed topic or any others!